I'm not sure if you only mean for needlepoint, but I know that there are several that can be used, depending on what guage of thread needed. Carons and other over-dyed pearl cotton thickness threads could be stunning in sections of needlepoint, I think.=)
I just started using fingering weight yarn on a burlap canvas (meant for rug hooking) for needlepoint. It works up pretty quickly. I'm having fun choosing the handpainted and variegated yarns to give depth and movement to the stitching.